W. R. Berkley Corporation Announces Executive Appointments at Two of Its Member Companies

David A. Jordan Named President of Vela Insurance Services, Inc.;

Richard P. Shemitis Appointed Executive Vice President - Chief Underwriting
Officer of Nautilus Insurance Group, LLC
GREENWICH, Conn.--(Business Wire)--
W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) today named David A. Jordan president of
Vela Insurance Services, Inc. He succeeds Richard P. Shemitis, who will serve as
executive vice president - chief underwriting officer of Nautilus Insurance
Group, LLC. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Vela underwrites excess and surplus lines casualty business with a primary focus
on contractor and product liability coverages on behalf of W. R. Berkley
Corporation member companies. With offices in Chicago, Illinois; Solvang,
California; and Radnor, Pennsylvania, Vela underwrites a variety of classes
nationwide exclusively through its network of appointed excess and surplus lines
brokers.

Mr. Jordan joins Vela with more than 28 years of experience as a senior
executive in the property and casualty insurance industry, including, most
recently, as chief operating officer of a leading excess and surplus lines
broker in the United States. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from
Connecticut College.

Nautilus Insurance Group, comprised of Nautilus Insurance Company and Great
Divide Insurance Company, is one of the leading commercial excess and surplus
and specialty lines carriers in the United States. Its products are distributed
exclusively through appointed general agents who are authorized in a specific
underwriting territory as surplus lines producers.

Mr. Shemitis joined W. R. Berkley Corporation in 1996, helping to form Vela and
serving as its president since its formation. He has nearly 37 years of
insurance industry experience.

In announcing the appointments, William R. Berkley, chairman and chief executive
officer, said: "We continue to enhance the executive ranks of our specialty
operating units. David`s considerable experience and demonstrated leadership
skills make him particularly well suited for his new role at Vela. Similarly,
Rich`s broad operational and management achievements, coupled with his extensive
understanding of Nautilus Insurance Group`s business, are vital attributes for
this newly created position at Nautilus."

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that
is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates
in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: specialty
insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets,
reinsurance, and international.

W. R. Berkley Corporation
Karen A. Horvath, 203-629-3000
Vice President - External
Financial Communications

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